Vicki Maree (Webb) Svedarsky, age 78, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous journey with cancer.
Vicki was born on October 27, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Earl Andrew Webb and Willa Mae (Gerhart) Webb. She spent much of her childhood in the St. Louis area and graduated from Hazelwood High School. She attended the University of Missouri–Columbia, where she met the love of her life, Walter Daniel “Dan” Svedarsky. On December 27, 1966, Vicki and Dan were married, beginning a partnership that would span nearly six decades. Together they built a life centered on family, education, hard work, and unwavering love.
Vicki and Dan moved to Crookston, Minnesota in the summer of 1969 where Dan had accepted a faculty position at the Crookston campus of the University of Minnesota. Vicki began her career as a home economics teacher at Crookston High School. Her commitment to helping young people led her to earn a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of North Dakota. She later served as a guidance counselor in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, before joining the University of Minnesota Crookston, where she spent the rest of her career supporting students through their educational and personal journeys. As an educator and counselor, Vicki encouraged countless students with compassion, patience, and genuine care. She had a remarkable gift for listening, offering thoughtful guidance, and helping others recognize their strengths. In her quiet, low-key way, she made a lasting difference in the lives of those she served and was described by one grateful parent as “classy.”
More than any title or accomplishment, Vicki was devoted to her family. She found her greatest joy in being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, cherishing holidays, family gatherings, milestones, and life’s everyday moments. She had a gift for making others feel welcome and encouraged, quietly touching lives with her warmth, kindness, and wisdom. Even throughout the challenges of her illness, her focus remained on the people she loved and the memories they continued to create together. While her family grieves her loss deeply, they find comfort in a life beautifully lived—one defined by love, service, resilience, and an unwavering devotion to others. Her memory will forever remain a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Vicki is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Dan Svedarsky; her children, Alex (Carol) Svedarsky (San Jose, Costa Rica), Andy (Karla) Svedarsky (Eau Claire, WI), and Amanda (Kyle Nystrom) Svedarsky (Waconia, MN); her cherished grandchildren: Christina, Danny, & Sophia Svedarsky; Halle Nicolet & Gwendolyn Svedarsky; and Ariston Svedarsky, Zoleena & Larkyan Nystrom; her brother, Earl Andrew (Pat) Webb; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, former students, and colleagues whose lives were enriched by knowing her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, R. Michael Webb.
Services will be held on Saturday, October 31 at the First Presbyterian Church in Crookston, MN. A visitation will commence at 10:00 a.m. followed by the program at 11:00. A buffet luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. As per Vicki’s wishes, her ashes will be spread around a buffalo rubbing rock near their prairie home at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to youth support programs in public schools.
